Opportunity to switch-on Loughborough’s festive lights for one lucky youngster
Published: Mon 7th October, 2024
Do you have a deserving youngster in your life who would love the opportunity to launch Loughborough’s Christmas by switching on the town’s lights in front of thousands of people?
If the answer is yes, you can put them forward for Charnwood Borough Council’s Light up Loughborough competition.
Once again, the Council has teamed up with local radio station Fosse 107 and Love Loughborough to run the competition to find a deserving youngster to flick the big switch.
The competition is open to children aged between 5 and 12, who have done something extraordinary – whether that’s doing something to help the local community, looking after a relative or achieving something amazing at school. They must also be a Charnwood resident.
This year’s Light up Loughborough Competition is even more special as the town will be unveiling its new Christmas lights and the event itself has been switched to a Friday night (November 29) and will kickstart a weekend of festive fun!
Chris Grace, head of economic development and regeneration at Charnwood Borough Council said: “It is great to see that the Light up Loughborough competition is making a return this year.
“We have been lucky to have received some incredible entries in the past, and Amelia did an amazing job last year when turning on the lights.
“The competition will give a youngster in the borough the chance to make some amazing festive memories.
“We are also looking forward to seeing the town’s new lights and kicking off a weekend of festive activities.”
The Mayor Charnwood, Cllr Dr Julie Bradshaw MBE, said: “What a fantastic opportunity this will be for the lucky winner. I’m looking forward to reading through the entries and helping to choose someone to switch on our festive lights.
“It’s going to be a brilliant festive weekend, and this will be a great way to kick it off.”
Last year, 11-year-old Amelia Baker from Sileby was chosen to switch-on the Christmas lights after judges heard her story about how she helps care for her younger sister, Imogen who has Angelman Syndrome.
As well as hitting the big button, the competition winner will also receive a family ticket to this year’s pantomime, Snow White at Loughborough Town Hall and a £50 Love Loughborough voucher.
Fosse 107 will once again be hosting this year’s Christmas lights switch on.
To enter the competition, all you need to do is fill in our online form at www.charnwood.gov.uk/lights.
All entrants must be aged between 5 and 12 and live in Charnwood. They will need to be entered by a parent or guardian. The closing date for entries is Friday, 25 October.
Entries will be considered by a judging panel made up of representatives from the Council.
For more information, including the competition’s full terms and conditions, visit www.charnwood.gov.uk/lightuplboro.
Here’s the rundown for Christmas in Loughborough this year:
- Friday 29 November – From 4-8pm, the Market Place will host a wide range of stalls, food and drink stands and rides, and a host of talented performers will be appearing on the main stage to entertain the crowd. The lights will be switched on approximately 6.30pm.
- Saturday 30 November - Family friendly activities and rides in the Market Place from 11am until 1pm, including stalls, Christmas characters meeting and greeting visitors and a special performance from carol singers around the Christmas tree.
- Sunday 1 December – Santa Fun Run for Rainbows Hospice starts in the Market Place from 9am. From 2pm, the big screen will be showing two Christmas films, which will be chosen based on the results of a poll conducted on the Council’s Facebook page. There will be stalls serving food and hot drinks for anyone feeling the cold.
For more information about Christmas in Loughborough, visit www.charnwood.gov.uk/christmas.
You can also keep up to date with the latest information from the Council by signing up for our email newsletters at www.charnwood.gov.uk/alerts.